Semiconductor integrated circuit

ABSTRACT

A constantly power-ON domain and a standby-time power OFF domain are included on the same chip, and the constantly power-ON domain includes: a shutoff control circuit shutting off a signal inputted and outputted between the constantly power-ON domain and the standby-time power OFF domain when the first power source is ON and the second power source is OFF; and a shutoff control circuit outputting a first control signal indicating that shutoff of an emergent shutoff control circuit unit is to be enabled or disabled, the standby-time power OFF domain includes the emergent shutoff control circuit unit shutting off, based on the first control signal from the shutoff control circuit, the signal inputted between the emergent shutoff control circuit unit and the constantly power-ON domain.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is based on and claims priority of JapanesePatent Application No. PCT/JP2010/003559 filed on May 27, 2010. Theentire disclosure of the above-identified application, including thespecification, drawings and claims is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to semiconductor integrated circuits, andmore specifically to semiconductor integrated circuits including on thesame chip a power-ON domain as a circuit region which receives powersupply from a first power source and a power-OFF domain as a circuitregion which receives power supply from a second power sourceindependent from the first power source and to which the power supplyfrom the second power source is stopped as a result of turning-off ofthe second power source by control of the power-ON domain.

(2) Description of the Related Art

Conventionally known is a semiconductor integrated circuit including onthe same chip a power-ON domain as a circuit region where a power isconstantly ON and a power-OFF domain as a circuit region where a poweris turned off when necessary. In such a semiconductor integratedcircuit, upon shutoff of the power of the power-OFF domain, an unstablesignal in the shut power-OFF domain may be transmitted to the constantlypower-ON domain in operation.

On the contrary, suggested in Patent Document Reference (Japanese PatentApplication Laid-open No. 2005-311622) is a semiconductor integratedcircuit that prevents an unstable signal when a power of a power-OFFdomain is shut off from being transmitted to a constantly power-ONdomain in operation.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating the semiconductor integratedcircuit in Patent Document 1 described above. This semiconductorintegrated circuit includes: a circuit block 2 and a circuit block 3corresponding to the constantly power-ON domain (hereinafter describedas constantly power-ON circuit blocks); and a circuit block 1corresponding to the power-OFF domain (hereinafter described aspower-OFF circuit block).

As shown in FIG. 7A, in a case where powers of both the constantlypower-ON circuit block and the power-OFF circuit block are ON, that is,they are in operation, by a power control signal (SWC) from the circuitblock 3, power supply to the circuit block 1 is performed. At thispoint, a signal from the circuit block 1 can be inputted to an inputcircuit composed of logic gate circuits including, for example, a latchcircuit FF, a NAND circuit G1, and a NOR circuit included in the circuitblock 2.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, in a case where the power of thepower-OFF circuit block is turned off, that is, the power-OFF circuitblock is put into a non-operating state, by the power control signal(SWC) from the circuit block 3, the power supply of the circuit block 1is shutoff, that is, power shutoff is performed. Then by an unstablesignal preventing control signal (INC) from the circuit block 3, thesignal from the circuit block 1 is prevented from being inputted to theinput circuit included in the circuit block 2.

By performing the power shutoff control as described above, thesemiconductor integrated circuit in Patent Document 1 described aboveprevents the unstable signal when the power of the power-OFF circuitblock is shut off from being transmitted to the constantly power-ONcircuit block in operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, the conventional semiconductor integrated circuit does notconsider a case where the power of the constantly power-ON circuit blockis first shut off. For example, in a case where an unanticipated statein which an AC outlet supplying a power to the constantly power-ONcircuit block has comes out occurs and under the influence of, forexample, a capacitor connected to the power, the power of the constantlypower-ON circuit block turns off earlier than a power of the power-OFFcircuit block, power shutoff control provided to the constantly power-ONcircuit block becomes uncontrollable. As a result, a high-level signalfrom the power-OFF circuit block at work is inputted to the constantlypower-ON circuit block whose power has first turned off, for example,abnormal voltage is added to a gate of a MOSFET forming the power-ONcircuit block and circuit characteristics change or the unstable signalof the constantly power-ON circuit block whose power has been shut offis transmitted to the power-OFF circuit block in operation, havingadverse effect on the power-OFF circuit block. As described above, inthe case where the power of the constantly power-ON circuit block hasturned off earlier than that of the power-OFF circuit block, adverseeffect is exerted on the semiconductor integrated circuit.

Examples of the adverse effect here are: 1) the abnormal voltage isadded to the gate of the MOSFET forming the constantly power-ON circuitblock whose power has been shut off and the circuit characteristicschange, which results in failure to perform desired normal operation; 2)the unstable signal of the constantly power-ON circuit block whose powerhas been shut off is inputted to the power-OFF circuit block at work andthrough current flows to, for example, the MOSFET forming the power-OFFcircuit block, and the circuit characteristics change, which results infailure to perform desired normal operation; and 3) for example, writingto an external nonvolatile memory such as an SD card controlled by adevice including the semiconductor integrated circuit is not properlycontrolled, causing damage, which results in damage to data in thememory, leading to recovery failure; and 4) in a case where thesemiconductor integrated circuit is included in, for example, atelevision, saving of viewed channel information and volume information,which is performed at time of power-off, cannot be performed.

The invention has been made to solve the problem described above, and itis an object of the invention to provide a semiconductor integratedcircuit that prevents adverse effect from being exerted on a power-OFFcircuit region even when a power of a constantly power-ON circuit regionhas been first shut off.

To achieve the object described above, a semiconductor integratedcircuit according to one aspect of the invention includes on a same chipa power-ON domain as a circuit region which receives power supply from afirst power source and a power-OFF domain as a circuit region whichreceives power supply from a second power source provided independentlyfrom the first power source and in which the second power source isturned off by control of the power-ON domain to thereby stop the powersupply from the second power source. The power-ON domain includes: afirst signal shutoff unit configured to shut off a signal inputted andoutputted between the power-ON domain and the power-OFF domain when thefirst power source is ON and the second power source is OFF; and ashutoff control unit configured to output a first control signalindicating that shutoff by a second signal shutoff unit different fromthe first signal shutoff unit is to be enabled or disabled, wherein thepower-OFF domain includes the second signal shutoff unit configured toshut off the signal inputted and outputted between the power-ON domainand the power-OFF domain based on the first control signal whichindicates that shutoff is to be enabled and which is outputted from theshutoff control unit, and the shutoff control unit is configured to,upon detection of stop of the power supply from the first power source,output the first control signal indicating that the shutoff is to beenabled.

With this configuration, a semiconductor integrated circuit can berealized which prevents adverse effect from being exerted on thepower-OFF circuit region even when the power of the constantly power-ONcircuit region has been first shut off.

More specifically, there is a case where an unanticipated state occursin which the AC outlet has come out and the first power source has beenturned off, no power has been supplied to the power-ON domain whosepower is always ON, and the power-ON domain has been turned off earlierthan the power of the power-OFF domain. In this case, with thisconfiguration, the shutoff control unit and the second signal shutoffunit can function to prevent inputting of an unstable signal from thepower-ON domain to the power-OFF domain and inputting of through currentto the power-ON domain.

Moreover, the second signal shutoff unit may include: a holding circuitconfigured to hold the first control signal outputted by the shutoffcontrol unit and based on the held first control signal, output a secondcontrol signal indicating that the shutoff of the signal inputted andoutputted between the power-ON domain and the power-OFF domain is to beenabled or disabled; and a signal shutoff circuit configured to shutoff, in accordance with the second control signal outputted by theholding circuit, the signal inputted and outputted between the power-ONdomain and the power-OFF domain.

Moreover, the shutoff control unit may turn the first control signalinto a low level in order to indicate that the shutoff is to be enabled,and output the signal to the holding circuit, the holding circuit mayhold the low-level first control signal outputted by the shutoff controlunit and based on the held low-level first control signal, turn thesecond control signal into a low level in order to indicate that theshutoff of the signal inputted and outputted between the power-ON domainand the power-OFF domain is to be disabled, and output the signal to thesignal shutoff circuit, and the signal shutoff circuit may, inaccordance with the low-level second control signal outputted by theholding circuit, shut off the signal inputted and outputted between thepower-ON domain and the power-OFF domain.

Moreover, said holding circuit may include a plurality of logic gatecircuits including an AND circuit, a latch circuit, and an RS flip-flop,said AND circuit may, upon reception of the first control signaloutputted by said shutoff control unit and a signal outputted by said RSflip-flop, output the signals to said latch circuit and said signalshutoff circuit, said latch circuit may, upon reception of the signalsoutputted by said AND circuit, output the signals to said RS flip-flop,said RS flip-flop may, upon reception of the signals outputted by saidlatch circuit, output the signals to said AND circuit, and said signalshutoff unit may, upon reception of the second control signal turnedinto a low level from said AND circuit in order to indicate that theshutoff is to be enabled, output the low-level signal.

The shutoff control unit may include a flip-flop, and the flip-flop may,upon detection of stop of the power supply from the first power source,turn the first control signal into a low level in order to indicate thatthe shutoff is to be enabled, and output the signal to the holdingcircuit.

Moreover, the shutoff control unit may, after start of the power supplyfrom the first power source, further output to the holding circuit thefirst control signal indicating that the shutoff is to be disabled, whenthe holding circuit is configured to, upon reception of a reset signal,may release the holding of the second control signal indicating that theshutoff at the signal shutoff circuit is to be enabled, further hold thefirst control signal outputted by the shutoff control unit, and based onthe held first control signal, output to the signal shutoff circuit thesecond control signal indicating that the shutoff of the signal inputtedand outputted between the power-ON domain and the power-OFF domain is tobe disabled, and the signal shutoff circuit may, in accordance with thesecond control signal outputted by the holding circuit, disable theshutoff of the signal inputted and outputted between the power-ON domainand the power-OFF domain.

The invention is not only realized as a device but may also be realizedas an integrated circuit including a processing means included in such adevice.

The invention can realize a semiconductor integrated circuit thatprevents adverse effect from being exerted on a power-OFF circuit regioneven when a power of a constantly power-ON circuit region has been firstshut off.

FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT TECHNICAL BACKGROUND TO THIS APPLICATION

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-134510 filed onJun. 3, 2009 including specification, drawings and claims isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The disclosure of PCT application No. PCT/JP2010/003559 filed on May 27,2010, including specification, drawings and claims is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention willbecome apparent from the following description thereof taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings that illustrate a specificembodiment of the present invention. In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing schematic configuration of asemiconductor integrated circuit according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing configuration of the semiconductorintegrated circuit according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a timing diagram illustrating operation of the semiconductorintegrated circuit at time of emergent shutoff control according to theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a timing diagram illustrating operation of a conventionalsemiconductor integrated circuit;

FIG. 5 is a timing diagram illustrating operation of the semiconductorintegrated circuit at time of releasing the emergent shutoff controlaccording to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a device including thesemiconductor integrated circuit according to the invention;

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a conventional semiconductorintegrated circuit; and

FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a conventional semiconductorintegrated circuit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing schematic configuration of asemiconductor integrated circuit according to the invention.

The semiconductor integrated circuit 1000 shown in FIG. 1 includes: aconstantly power-ON domain 100, a standby-time power-OFF domain 200, afirst power source 101, and a second power source 201, and for example,by an AC outlet 1001, powers are supplied to the first power source 101and the second power source 201.

In the semiconductor integrated circuit 1000, the constantly power-ONdomain 100 and the standby-time power-OFF domain 200 are formed on thesame chip. To the constantly power-ON domain 100 and the standby-timepower-OFF domain 200, the powers are supplied by the first power source101 and the second power source 201, respectively.

The first power source 101 is a circuit performing control to alwayskeep a supplied voltage constant, for example, a regulator. The firstpower source 101 is connected to the AC outlet 1001, and supplies apower to the constantly power-ON domain 100 independently from thesecond power source 201.

The constantly power-ON domain 100 corresponds to a power-ON domainaccording to the invention, is a region including a circuit where apower is assumed to be constantly supplied (hereinafter described asconstantly power-ON), and is formed on the chip of the semiconductorintegrated circuit 1000. Moreover, the constantly power-ON domain 100 iscomposed of: an ON domain circuit 10, a shutoff control circuit 11, anda shutoff control circuit 12.

The ON domain circuit 10 is a circuit that realizes main functions ofthe constantly power-ON domain 100 including, for example, control ofactivation or shutdown of the standby-time power-OFF domain 200.

The shutoff control circuit 11 corresponds to a first signal shutoffunit according to the invention, and shuts off a signal between theconstantly power-ON domain 100 and the standby-time power-OFF domain 200in accordance with a control signal from the shutoff control circuit 12.

More specifically, when the shutoff control circuit 11 has received fromthe shutoff control circuit 12 a shutoff control signal (SHUTC)indicating that shutoff is to be disabled, the shutoff control circuit11 can receive the signal transmitted from the constantly power-ONdomain 100 to the standby-time power-OFF domain 200 and output thereceived signal to the standby-time power-OFF domain 200. Moreover, atthis point, the shutoff control circuit 11 can receive a signaltransmitted from the standby-time power-OFF domain 200 to the constantlypower-ON domain 100 and output the received signal to the ON domaincircuit 10.

On the contrary, when the shutoff control circuit 11 has received ashutoff control signal (SHUTC) indicating that the shutoff is to beenabled, the shutoff control circuit 11 shuts off signal input from theON domain circuit 10 and the standby-time power-OFF domain 200 and atthe same time, also shuts off signal output to the ON domain circuit 10and the standby-time power-OFF domain 200.

The shutoff control circuit 12 corresponds to a shutoff control unitaccording to the invention, and outputs a shutoff control signal (SHUTC)to the shutoff control circuit 11 and the standby-time power-OFF domain200 (emergent shutoff control circuit 22). Then the shutoff controlcircuit 12 can output the shutoff control signal (SHUTC) to therebyprohibit or permit signal inputting or signal outputting by the shutoffcontrol circuit 11. Note that a value of the shutoff control signal(SHUTC) outputted by the shutoff control circuit 12, that is, a valueindicating that the shutoff is to be enabled or disabled can be changedby the ON domain circuit 10 when the constantly power-ON domain 100 isat work.

More specifically, the shutoff control circuit 12, upon outputting tothe shutoff control circuit 11 the shutoff control signal (SHUTC)indicating that the shutoff is to be enabled, makes the shutoff controlcircuit 11 shut off the signal between the constantly power-ON domain100 and the standby-time power-OFF domain 200. On the contrary, theshutoff control circuit 12, upon outputting to the shutoff controlcircuit 11 the shutoff control signal (SHUTC) indicating that theshutoff is to be disabled, makes the shutoff control circuit 11 releasethe shutoff of the signal between the constantly power-ON domain 100 andthe standby-time power-OFF domain 200.

For example, when a reset signal indicating power-OFF has been inputtedto the constantly power-ON domain 100, the shutoff control circuit 12outputs to the shutoff control circuit 11 the shutoff control signal(SHUTC) indicating that the shutoff is to be enabled. Moreover, forexample, the shutoff control circuit 12 can change a value of theshutoff control signal (SHUTC) through the ON domain circuit 10 afteractivation of the constantly power-ON domain 100. Thus, when a valueindicating that the shutoff is to be disabled has been inputted, theshutoff control circuit 12 outputs to the shutoff control circuit 11 theshutoff control signal (SHUTC) indicating that the shutoff is to bedisabled, and when a value indicating that the shutoff is to be enabledhas been inputted, the shutoff control circuit 12 outputs to the shutoffcontrol circuit 11 the shutoff control signal (SHUTC) indicating thatthe shutoff is to be enabled.

Moreover, for example, when a reset signal indicating power-OFF has beeninputted to the constantly power-ON domain 100, the shutoff controlcircuit 12 outputs to the emergent shutoff control circuit 22 theshutoff control signal indicating that the shutoff is to be enabled.When the reset signal indicating power-ON has been inputted by theconstantly power-ON domain 100, the shutoff control circuit 12 outputsto the shutoff control circuit 11 the shutoff control signal (SHUTC)indicating that the shutoff is to be disabled.

The second power source 201 is a circuit performing control to alwayskeep a supplied voltage constant, for example, a regulator. The secondpower source 201 is connected to the AC outlet 1001 and supplies a powerto the standby-time power-OFF domain 200 independently from the firstpower source 101. Moreover, the second power source 201 is connectedwith a capacitor 203. The capacitor 203 plays a role in supplying apower to the standby-time power-OFF domain 200 for a certain period oftime in place of the second power source 201, for example, in a casewhere the power supply of the second power source 201 has stoppedinstantaneously.

The standby-time power-OFF domain 200 corresponds to a power-OFF domainaccording to the invention, is a region including a circuit whose poweris turned off when necessary, for example, at time of standby, and isformed on the chip of the semiconductor integrated circuit 1000.Moreover, the standby-time power-OFF domain 200 is composed of an OFFdomain circuit 20 and an emergent shutoff control circuit unit 23including an emergent shutoff control circuit 21 and an emergent shutoffcontrol circuit 22.

The OFF domain circuit 20 is a circuit realizing main functions (forexample, reading and writing of an external nonvolatile memory) of thestandby-time power-OFF domain 200 for a device loaded with thesemiconductor integrated circuit 1000.

The emergent shutoff control circuit 21 performs emergent shutoff of asignal between the constantly power-ON domain 100 and the standby-timepower-OFF domain 200 in accordance with a control signal from theemergent shutoff control circuit 22.

More specifically, when the emergent shutoff control circuit 21 hasreceived from the emergent shutoff control circuit 22 an emergentshutoff control signal (ESHUTC) indicating that the emergent shutoff isto be disabled, the emergent shutoff control circuit 21 can receive asignal transmitted from the constantly power-ON domain 100 to thestandby-time power-OFF domain 200 and output the received signal to theOFF domain circuit 20. Moreover, at this point, the emergent shutoffcontrol circuit 21 can receive from the OFF domain circuit 20 a signaltransmitted from the OFF domain circuit 20 to the constantly power-ONdomain 100 and output the received signal to the ON domain circuit 10.

On the contrary, the emergent shutoff control circuit 21 corresponds toa signal shutoff circuit according to the invention, and when it hasreceived from the emergent shutoff control circuit 22 an emergentshutoff control signal (ESHUTC) indicating that the emergent shutoff isto be enabled, shuts off signal inputting from the OFF domain circuit 20and the shutoff control circuit 11 and at the same time, shuts offsignal outputting to the OFF domain circuit 20 and the shutoff controlcircuit 11.

The emergent shutoff control circuit 22 corresponds to a holding circuitaccording to the invention, and outputs the emergent shutoff controlsignal (ESHUTC) to the emergent shutoff control circuit 21. Then theemergent shutoff control circuit 22 can output the emergent shutoffcontrol signal (ESHUTC) to the emergent shutoff control circuit 21 tothereby prohibit or permit signal inputting and outputting by theemergent shutoff control circuit 21.

More specifically, the emergent shutoff control circuit 22, uponoutputting to the emergent shutoff control circuit 21 the emergentshutoff control signal (ESHUTC) indicating that the emergent shutoff isto be enabled, makes the emergent shutoff control circuit 21 shut offthe signal between the constantly power-ON domain 100 and thestandby-time power-OFF domain 200. On the contrary, the emergent shutoffcontrol circuit 22, upon outputting to the emergent shutoff controlcircuit 21 the emergent shutoff control signal (ESHUTC) indicating thatemergent shutoff is to be disabled, makes the emergent shutoff controlcircuit 21 release the shutoff of the signal between the constantlypower-ON domain 100 and the standby-time power-OFF domain 200.

For example, when the shutoff control signal (SHUTC) indicating that theshutoff is to be enabled has been inputted by the shutoff controlcircuit 12, the emergent shutoff control circuit 22 outputs to theemergent shutoff control circuit 21 the emergent shutoff control signal(ESHUTC) indicating that the emergent shutoff is to be enabled.Moreover, for example, when a reset signal has been inputted from theconstantly power-ON domain 100 to the standby-time power-OFF domain 200and the shutoff control signal (SHUTC) indicating that the shutoff is tobe disabled has been inputted by the shutoff control circuit 12, theemergent shutoff control circuit 22 outputs to the emergent shutoffcontrol circuit 21 the emergent shutoff control signal (ESHUTC)indicating that emergent shutoff is to be disabled.

As described above, the semiconductor integrated circuit 1000 is formed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing circuit configuration of thesemiconductor integrated circuit according to the invention. Illustratedin FIG. 2 is an example of circuits forming the semiconductor integratedcircuit 1000 shown in FIG. 1. Moreover, components same as those in FIG.1 are provided with the same numerals and their detailed descriptionwill be omitted.

In the semiconductor integrated circuit 1000, the standby-time power-OFFdomain 200 includes a reset 33, and the constantly power-ON domain 100includes: a reset 13, a push-pull output terminal 14, and an open drainoutput terminal 15. Moreover, the semiconductor integrated circuit 1000includes a resistor 202 as a pull-up circuit in which the reset 33inputs a high-level signal to the emergent shutoff control circuit 22(RS flip-flop 224) when the open drain output terminal 15 outputs highimpedance (Hiz).

The reset 13 detects that the reset signal indicating power-OFF has beeninputted to the constantly power-ON domain 100 or detects that the powersupply to the constantly power-ON domain 100 has stopped and outputs alow-level signal as reset input to the shutoff control circuit 12.

The push-pull output terminal 14, in accordance with a control signal ofthe ON domain circuit 10, outputs a second power source 201 controlsignal (REGUC) to the second power source 201 to thereby turn on or offthe power of the second power source 201.

The open drain output terminal 15, in accordance with the control signalof the ON domain circuit 10, outputs a reset signal of the standby-timepower-OFF domain 200 to the reset 33. The reset 33 outputs thislow-level signal to the emergent shutoff control circuit 22.

The shutoff control circuit 11 includes: a first output circuit composedof an AND circuit 111, an AND circuit 112, and an AND circuit 113; and afirst input circuit composed of an OR circuit 114, an AND circuit 115,and an AND circuit 116.

In the shutoff control circuit 11, when a high-level signal as theshutoff control signal (SHUTC) indicating that the shutoff is to bedisabled has been received from the shutoff control circuit 12 to inputterminals of the first input circuit and the first output circuit, asignal outputted from the ON domain circuit 10 is inputted to theemergent shutoff control circuit 21 (second input circuit) via the firstoutput circuit. Moreover, at this point, in the shutoff control circuit11, a signal outputted from the OFF domain circuit 20 is inputted to thefirst input circuit via a second output circuit.

The shutoff control circuit 12 is formed of a flip-flop 121. In theshutoff control circuit 12, when a low-level signal has been inputted asreset input to the reset 13, the flip-flop 121 outputs to the shutoffcontrol circuit 11 and the emergent shutoff control circuit 22 thelow-level signal as the shutoff control signal (SHUTC) indicating thatthe shutoff is to be enabled. Moreover, when operation of disabling theshutoff has been performed or the reset signal indicating power-ON hasnot been inputted to the reset 13, the flip-flop 121 outputs to theshutoff control circuit 11 and the emergent shutoff control circuit 22 ahigh-level signal as the shutoff control signal indicating that theshutoff is to be disabled.

The emergent shutoff control circuit 21 includes: the second inputcircuit composed of an AND circuit 211, an AND circuit 212, and an ORcircuit 213; and the second output circuit composed of an AND circuit214, an AND circuit 215, and an AND circuit 216.

In the emergent shutoff control circuit 21, when a high-level signal asthe emergent shutoff control signal (ESHUTC) indicating that theemergent shutoff is to be disabled has been received from the emergentshutoff control circuit 22 to input terminals of the second inputcircuit and the second output circuit, the signal outputted from the ONdomain circuit 10 is inputted to an OFF domain input circuit via an ONdomain output circuit. Moreover, at this point, in the emergent shutoffcontrol circuit 21, the signal outputted from the OFF domain circuit 20is inputted to an input circuit of the emergent shutoff control circuit21 via the ON domain output circuit.

The emergent shutoff control circuit 22 is composed of an AND circuit221, latch circuits 222 and 223, and the RS flip-flop 224. In theemergent shutoff control circuit 22, when a low-level signal as theshutoff control signal (SHUTC) indicating that the shutoff is to beenabled has been received from the shutoff control circuit 12, the ANDcircuit 221 outputs to an input terminal side of the second inputcircuit and the second output circuit of the emergent shutoff controlcircuit 21 a low-level signal as the emergent shutoff control signalindicating that the emergent shutoff is to be enabled.

In the latch circuits 222 and 223, a signal outputted from the ANDcircuit 221 is latched in two steps to thereby absorb fluctuation of thesignal outputted from the AND circuit 221. Moreover, the RS flip-flop224 holds a signal when a high-level signal or a low-level signal hasbeen received for the AND circuit 221, and outputs the high-level signalor the low-level signal to the AND circuit 221.

For example, when the low-level signal has been received for the ANDcircuit 221, the RS flip-flop 224 outputs the low-level signal to theAND circuit 221. Consequently, the AND circuit 221 can output to theinput terminal side of the second input circuit and the second outputcircuit of the emergent shutoff control circuit 21 the low-level signalas the emergent shutoff control signal (ESHUTC) indicating that theemergent shutoff is to be enabled.

Moreover, the RS flip-flop 224, as a result of receiving the low-levelsignal from the reset 33, releases the outputting of the low-levelsignal as the emergent shutoff control signal (ESHUTC) indicating thatthe emergent shutoff is to be enabled. Thus, the RS flip-flop 224, as aresult of receiving the low-level signal from the reset 33, releases theoutputting of the low-level signal and further outputs the low-levelsignal to the AND circuit 221 until the AND circuit 221 receives ahigh-level signal from the shutoff control circuit 12.

Therefore, until newly receiving from the shutoff control circuit 12 thehigh-level signal as the shutoff control signal (SHUTC) indicating thatthe shutoff is to be disabled, the AND circuit 221 can output to theinput terminal side of the second input circuit and the second outputcircuit a low-level signal as the emergent shutoff control signal(ESHUTC) indicating that the emergent shutoff is to be enabled.

As described above, the circuits of the semiconductor integrated circuit1000 are formed.

As described above, in the semiconductor integrated circuit 1000, notonly the constantly power-ON domain 100 includes the shutoff controlcircuit 11 and the shutoff control circuit 12, but also the standby-timepower-OFF domain 200 includes the emergent shutoff control circuit 21and the emergent shutoff control circuit 22. For example, anunanticipated state arises in which the AC outlet 1001 has come out, nopower is supplied to the constantly power-ON domain 100, and the powerof the constantly power-ON domain 100 first turns off. Even in thiscase, in the semiconductor integrated circuit 1000, the emergent shutoffcontrol circuits 21 and 22 can function to shut off inputting of anunstable signal from the constantly power-ON domain 100 and inputting ofthrough current to the constantly power-ON domain 100. This consequentlycan realize a semiconductor integrated circuit that prevents adverseeffect from being exerted on a power-OFF circuit region even when thepower of the constantly power-ON circuit region has been first shut off.

Next, operation of the semiconductor integrated circuit 1000 formed asdescribed above will be described.

FIG. 3 is a timing diagram illustrating operation of the semiconductorintegrated circuit at time of emergent shutoff control according to theinvention. Described referring to FIG. 3 below is operation performed,for example, in the case where the AC outlet 1001 has come out, no powerhas been supplied to the constantly power-ON domain 100, and the powerof the constantly power-ON domain 100 has been first turned off.

First, assume that a power is being properly supplied to thesemiconductor integrated circuit 1000. That is, the powers are suppliedto the constantly power-ON domain 100 and the standby-time power-OFFdomain 200 from the first power source 101 and the second power source201, respectively.

At this point, to the constantly power-ON domain 100, the reset signalindicating power-OFF is not inputted and thus constantly power-ON domain100 reset indicates a high level.

Moreover, the constantly power-ON domain 100 does not perform control ofturning off the power of the standby-time power-OFF domain 200. Thus,the second power source 201 control signal (REGUC) indicates a highlevel. More specifically, the push-pull output terminal 14, inaccordance with the control signal of the ON domain circuit 10, puts thesecond power source 201 control signal (REGUC) at the high level inorder to indicate that the power of the second power source 201 is keptON and outputs it to the second power source 201.

Moreover, the reset signal indicating power-OFF has not been inputted tothe constantly power-ON domain 100, and therefore the shutoff controlcircuit 12 turns the shutoff control signal (SHUTC) into a high level inorder to indicate that the shutoff is to be disabled and outputs it tothe shutoff control circuit 11 and the emergent shutoff control circuit21. That is, the shutoff control signal (SHUTC) indicates the highlevel.

Moreover, an ON→OFF first boundary signal indicating a level of a signalinputted to the first output circuit and an ON→OFF second boundarysignal indicating a signal outputted from the first output circuitindicate a high level or a low level.

This is because of a state in which in the shutoff control circuit 12,the high-level shutoff control signal (SHUTC) indicating that theshutoff is to be disabled has been inputted from the shutoff controlcircuit 11 and the signal (either high or low) outputted from the ONdomain circuit 10 has been inputted to the first output circuit of theshutoff control circuit 12 and outputted from the first output circuit.

Moreover, the emergent shutoff control signal (ESHUTC) indicates a highlevel. This is because the power of the standby-time power-OFF domain200 is ON and the standby-time power-OFF domain 200 is at normal workand thus the emergent shutoff control circuit 22 outputs to the emergentshutoff control circuit 21 the high-level emergent shutoff controlsignal (ESHUTC) indicating that the emergent shutoff is to be disabled.

Moreover, an OFF→ON first boundary signal indicating a level of a signalinputted to the second output circuit and the ON→OFF second boundarysignal indicating a signal outputted from the second output circuitindicate a high level or a low level. This is because the standby-timepower-OFF domain 200 is at normal work and thus the high-level emergentshutoff control signal (ESHUTC) indicating that the emergent shutoff isto be disabled is inputted from the emergent shutoff control circuit 21to the emergent shutoff control circuit 22. Thus, the signal (high orlow) outputted from the OFF domain circuit 20 is inputted to the secondoutput circuit of the emergent shutoff control circuit 22 and outputtedfrom the second output circuit.

Next, assume that the AC outlet 1001 has come out and under theinfluence of, for example, the capacitor 203 connected to the secondpower source 201, the power of the constantly power-ON domain 100 hasturned off earlier than the power of the standby-time power-OFF domain200.

At this point, a reset signal has been inputted to the constantlypower-ON domain 100 and thus the constantly power-ON domain 100 reset isset at a low level. This indicates that the reset 13 detects that thepower supply to the constantly power-ON domain 100 has stopped andoutputs a low-level power-OFF reset signal to the shutoff controlcircuit 12.

Then the emergent shutoff control signal (ESHUTC) turns from the highlevel to a low level. More specifically, in the shutoff control circuit12, the power-OFF reset signal inverted into a low level is received atthe flip-flop 121 and the low-level shutoff control signal (SHUTC)indicating that the shutoff is to be enabled is outputted from theflip-flop 121 to the shutoff control circuit 11 and the emergent shutoffcontrol circuit 22. Then the emergent shutoff control circuit 22receives the low-level shutoff control signal (SHUTC) from the shutoffcontrol circuit 12, and outputs to the emergent shutoff control circuit21 the low-level emergent shutoff control signal (ESHUTC) indicatingthat the emergent shutoff is to be enabled.

The ON→OFF second boundary signal outputted from the second outputcircuit turns into a low level. This is because the power of theconstantly power-ON domain 100 has turned off and thus the emergentshutoff control circuit 21 receives from the emergent shutoff controlcircuit 22 the low-level emergent shutoff control signal (ESHUTC)indicating that the emergent shutoff is to be enabled and shuts off thesignal from the second output circuit. Then this emergent shutoffcontrol can prevent abnormal voltage addition to a gate of an MOSFET ofthe constantly power-ON domain 100.

Next, assume that the power of the constantly power-ON domain 100 hascompletely turned off earlier than the power of the standby-timepower-OFF domain 200.

The second power source 201 control signal (REGUC), the shutoff controlsignal (SHUTC), the ON→OFF first boundary signal, and the ON→OFF secondboundary signal turn into a high-impedance (Hiz) state, as shown in FIG.3. This indicates that since the power of the constantly power-ON domain100 has turned off earlier than the power of the standby-time power-OFFdomain 200, the signals indicating the high impedance (Hiz) (neitherhigh nor low) are outputted from the push-pull output terminal 14, theshutoff control circuit 12, and the first output circuit which are nolonger controllable.

The shutoff control signal (SHUTC), after indicating a low level, turnsinto the high-impedance (Hiz) state. This indicates a state in which thepower of the constantly power-ON domain 100 has turned off, anuncontrollable state has occurred due to no power supply, and highimpedance (Hiz) has been outputted.

As described above, in the semiconductor integrated circuit 1000 in thisembodiment, even in a case of occurrence of an unanticipated state, forexample, a state where the first power source 101 has comes out and thepower of the constantly power-ON domain 100 has first turned off, theemergent shutoff control circuit 21 and the emergent shutoff controlcircuit 22 can function to perform the emergent shutoff control. Thisconsequently can shut off the inputting of the unstable signal from theconstantly power-ON domain 100 and the inputting of the through currentto the constantly power-ON domain 100.

Here, for comparison with the operation of the semiconductor integratedcircuit 1000 in this embodiment, operation of a conventionalsemiconductor integrated circuit is to be described.

FIG. 4 is a timing diagram illustrating operation of the conventionalsemiconductor integrated circuit at time of emergent shutoff control.

In the conventional semiconductor integrated circuit, at least theemergent shutoff control circuit 21 and the emergent shutoff controlcircuit 22 are not included. Thus, in a case where a power of aconstantly power-ON domain circuit block corresponding to the constantlypower-ON domain 100 has turned off earlier than a power of a power-OFFcircuit block corresponding to the standby-time power-OFF domain 200,not only an unstable signal (Hiz) from circuits forming the constantlypower-ON circuit block cannot be shut off but also abnormal voltageaddition to a gate of a MOSFET of the constantly power-ON circuit blockcannot be prevented.

In FIG. 4, a first boundary signal A indicates a signal inputted to ashutoff circuit from the constantly power-ON circuit block included inthe conventional semiconductor integrated circuit. A second boundarysignal B indicates a signal outputted from the shutoff circuit to thepower-OFF circuit block. A third boundary signal C indicates a signalinputted from the power-OFF circuit block to the constantly power-ONcircuit block.

FIG. 5 is a timing diagram illustrating operation of the semiconductorintegrated circuit at time of releasing the emergent shutoff controlaccording to the invention.

Illustrated in FIG. 5 is the operation performed in a case where theemergent shutoff control described above is performed and after thepower of the semiconductor integrated circuit 1000 completely turns off,the constantly power-ON domain 100 and the standby-time power-OFF domain200 are activated again.

First, after the emergent shutoff control is performed, no power issupplied to the semiconductor integrated circuit 1000. That is, no poweris supplied to the constantly power-ON domain 100 and the standby-timepower-OFF domain 200, and they are both in a power-OFF state.

At this point, the constantly power-ON domain 100 reset indicates a lowlevel. This is because the power of the shutoff control circuit 11 hasturned off after the emergent shutoff control described above isperformed, indicating a state in which a power-ON reset signal has notbeen inputted.

Next, the power of the constantly power-ON domain 100 is turned onearlier than the power of the standby-time power-OFF domain 200. Thatis, the first power source 101 is made start the power supply to theconstantly power-ON domain 100.

At this point, for the constantly power-ON domain 100 reset, a low-levelpower-ON reset signal indicating that the power supply by the firstpower source 101 has been stabilized is inputted.

Moreover, at this point, the standby-time power-OFF domain 200 turnsinto a power-OFF state in which no power is supplied by the second powersource 201. Therefore, the second power source 201 control signal(REGUC) indicates a low level, and a reset 33 signal, a RS flip-flop 224signal, the emergent shutoff control signal (ESHUTC), the OFF→ON firstboundary signal, and an OFF→ON second boundary signal indicate highimpedance (Hiz).

Moreover, the flip-flop 121 is a low-level signal indicating that theshutoff is to be enabled. That is, the shutoff control circuit 12outputs to the shutoff control circuit 12 and the emergent shutoffcontrol circuit 21 the low-level shutoff control signal (SHUTC)indicating that the shutoff is to be enabled.

Moreover, the ON→OFF first boundary signal indicating the signalinputted to the first output circuit indicates a high level or a lowlevel. This is because the constantly power-ON domain 100 is activatedand a signal from the ON domain circuit 10 can be received.

However, the flip-flop 121 is a low-level signal indicating that theshutoff is to be enabled. That is, the shutoff control circuit 12outputs to the shutoff control circuit 12 and the emergent shutoffcontrol circuit 21 the low-level shutoff control signal (SHUTC)indicating that the shutoff is to be enabled.

Therefore, the shutoff control circuit 11 cannot output the signal fromthe ON domain circuit 10 to the emergent shutoff control circuit 21, andthus the ON→OFF second boundary signal indicating the signal outputtedfrom the first output circuit indicates a low level.

Next, the power of the standby-time power-OFF domain 200 is turned on.That is, the push-pull output terminal 14, in accordance with thecontrol signal of the ON domain circuit 10, outputs the high-levelsecond power source 201 control signal (REGUC) to the second powersource 201 and causes supply of the power of the second power source 201to the standby-time power-OFF domain 200.

Then after the power of the standby-time power-OFF domain 200 is turnedon, the shutoff of the shutoff control circuit 12 and the emergentshutoff control circuit 22 is released, which will be described indetail below.

First, from the open drain output terminal 15, a low level is outputted.Then the reset 33 outputs the low-level signal to the RS flip-flop 224.

Next, the RS flip-flop 224 receives the low-level reset signal from thereset 33, and releases the held low-level signal indicating that theshutoff is to be enabled. That is, a signal pulled up to a high level bythe resistor 202 is turned into a low level by the open drain outputterminal 15, whereby the RS flip-flop 224 receives the low-level signaland releases the held low-level signal.

Moreover, the flip-flop 121, independently from operation of releasingthe holding of the RS flip-flop 224, performs operation of disabling theshutoff. That is, switching of the flip-flop 121 is made from thelow-level shutoff control signal (SHUTC) indicating that the shutoff isto be enabled to the high level shutoff control signal (SHUTC)indicating that shutoff is to be disabled. As a result, the shutoffcontrol circuit 12 outputs to the shutoff control circuit 11 andemergent shutoff control circuit 22 the high-level shutoff controlsignal (SHUTC) indicating that the shutoff is to be disabled.

As described above, when the power has been introduced again to theconstantly power-ON domain 100, reset is inputted to the standby-timepower-OFF domain 200 to release the emergent shutoff control during thereset inputting.

The reset of the standby-time power-OFF domain 200 can be controlledfrom the ON domain circuit 10.

As described above, the invention can realize a semiconductor integratedcircuit that prevents adverse effect from being exerted on the power-OFFcircuit region even when the power of the constantly power-ON circuitregion has been first turned off.

For example, even in an emergent case where the unanticipated stateoccurs in which the AC outlet 1001 has come out and the power of theconstantly power-ON domain 100 has first turned off, the shutoff controlcircuit 12 detects the power-OFF of the constantly power-ON domain andperforms resetting, thereby setting the shutoff control signal at a lowlevel. Then the emergent shutoff control circuit 22, in response to theshutoff control signal, outputs to the emergent shutoff control circuit21 the emergent shutoff control signal set at a low level, therebypreventing the inputting of the unstable signal from the constantlypower-ON domain 100 and the abnormal voltage inputting to the gate ofthe MOSFET of the constantly power-ON domain 100.

Moreover, with the invention, upon negation of the reset of thestandby-time power OFF domain, when the shutoff control signal is set ata low level, a shutoff state of the standby-time power-OFF domain islatched at the emergent shutoff control circuit 22.

Note that the latched state may be released through external resettingother than the release described above.

The semiconductor integrated circuit of the invention has been describedabove based on the embodiment, but the invention is not limited to thisembodiment. Within a scope not departing from the spirits of theinvention, various modifications thought by those skilled in the art anda mode combining together the components of this embodiment are alsoincluded in the scope of the invention.

Although only an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has beendescribed in detail above, the present invention should not be limitedto the exemplary embodiment. A modification that those skilled in theart will readily appreciate or a modification to the exemplaryembodiment should be included within the scope of the present inventionwithout materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages ofthe present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention can be applied to semiconductor integratedcircuits, and can be applied to semiconductor integrated circuits loadedin, for example, a television 2000 shown in FIG. 6.

What is claimed is:
 1. A semiconductor integrated circuit including on asame chip a power-ON domain as a circuit region which receives powersupply from a first power source and a power-OFF domain as a circuitregion which receives power supply from a second power source providedindependently from the first power source and in which the second powersource is turned off by control of the power-ON domain to thereby stopthe power supply from the second power source, the power-ON domainincluding: a first signal shutoff unit configured to shut off a signalinputted and outputted between said power-ON domain and said power-OFFdomain when said first power source is ON and said second power sourceis OFF; and a shutoff control unit configured to output a first controlsignal indicating that shutoff by a second signal shutoff unit differentfrom the first signal shutoff unit is to be enabled or disabled, whereinsaid power-OFF domain includes said second signal shutoff unitconfigured to shut off the signal inputted and outputted between saidpower-ON domain and said power-OFF domain based on the first controlsignal which indicates that shutoff is to be enabled and which isoutputted from said shutoff control unit, and said shutoff control unitis configured to, upon detection of stop of the power supply from thefirst power source, output the first control signal indicating that theshutoff is to be enabled.
 2. The semiconductor integrated circuitaccording to claim 1, wherein said second signal shutoff unit includes:a holding circuit configured to hold the first control signal outputtedby said shutoff control unit and based on the held first control signal,output a second control signal indicating that the shutoff of the signalinputted and outputted between said power-ON domain and said power-OFFdomain is to be enabled or disabled; and a signal shutoff circuitconfigured to shut off, in accordance with the second control signaloutputted by the holding circuit, the signal inputted and outputtedbetween said power-ON domain and said power-OFF domain.
 3. Thesemiconductor integrated circuit according to claim 2, wherein saidshutoff control unit is configured to turn the first control signal intoa low level in order to indicate that the shutoff is to be enabled, andoutput the signal to said holding circuit, said holding circuit isconfigured to hold the low-level first control signal outputted by saidshutoff control unit and based on the held low-level first controlsignal, turn the second control signal into a low level in order toindicate that the shutoff of the signal inputted and outputted betweensaid power-ON domain and said power-OFF domain is to be disabled, andoutput the signal to said signal shutoff circuit, and said signalshutoff circuit is configured to, in accordance with the low-levelsecond control signal outputted by said holding circuit, shut off thesignal inputted and outputted between said power-ON domain and saidpower-OFF domain.
 4. The semiconductor integrated circuit according toclaim 3, wherein said holding circuit includes a plurality of logic gatecircuits including an AND circuit, a latch circuit, and an RS flip-flop,said AND circuit is configured to, upon reception of the first controlsignal outputted by said shutoff control unit and a signal outputted bysaid RS flip-flop, output the signals to said latch circuit and saidsignal shutoff circuit, said latch circuit is configured to, uponreception of the signals outputted by said AND circuit, output thesignals to said RS flip-flop, said RS flip-flop is configured to, uponreception of the signals outputted by said latch circuit, output thesignals to said AND circuit, and said signal shutoff unit is configuredto, upon reception of the second control signal turned into a low levelfrom said AND circuit in order to indicate that the shutoff is to beenabled, output the low-level signal.
 5. The semiconductor integratedcircuit according to claim 1, wherein said shutoff control unit includesa flip-flop, and said flip-flop is configured to, upon detection of stopof the power supply from said first power source, turn the first controlsignal into a low level in order to indicate that the shutoff is to beenabled, and output the signal to said holding circuit.
 6. Thesemiconductor integrated circuit according to claim 2, wherein saidshutoff control unit is further configured to, after start of the powersupply from said first power source, output to said holding circuit thefirst control signal indicating that the shutoff is to be disabled, whensaid holding circuit is configured to, upon reception of a reset signal,release the holding of the second control signal indicating that theshutoff at said signal shutoff circuit is to be enabled, further holdthe first control signal outputted by said shutoff control unit, andbased on the held first control signal, output to said signal shutoffcircuit the second control signal indicating that the shutoff of thesignal inputted and outputted between said power-ON domain and saidpower-OFF domain is to be disabled, and said signal shutoff circuit isconfigured to, in accordance with the second control signal outputted bysaid holding circuit, disable the shutoff of the signal inputted andoutputted between said power-ON domain and said power-OFF domain.
 7. Thesemiconductor integrated circuit according to claim 2, wherein saidshutoff control unit is further configured to, after start of the powersupply from said first power source, output to said holding circuit thefirst control signal indicating that the shutoff is to be disabled, saidholding circuit is configured to, based on the first control signaloutputted by said shutoff control unit, hold the second control signalindicating that the shutoff at said signal shutoff circuit is to bedisabled, and output the held second control signal to said signalshutoff circuit, and said signal shutoff circuit is configured to, inaccordance with the second control signal outputted by said holdingcircuit, disable the shutoff of the signal inputted and outputtedbetween said power-ON domain and said power-OFF domain.
 8. Thesemiconductor integrated circuit according to claim 6, wherein saidshutoff control unit includes a flip-flop, and said flip-flop isconfigured to, when a power-ON reset signal is inputted as a result ofstart of the power supply from said first power source to said power-ONdomain, turn the first control signal into a high level in order toindicate that the shutoff is to be disabled, and output the signal tosaid holding circuit.
 9. The semiconductor integrated circuit accordingto claim 4, wherein said RS flip-flop is configured to, upon thereception of the reset signal, release the low-level signal outputted tosaid AND circuit, said shutoff control unit is configured to, after thestart of the power supply from said first power source, turn the firstcontrol signal into a high level in order to indicate that the shutoffis to be disabled and output the signal to said AND circuit, and saidAND circuit is configured to, upon reception of the high-level firstcontrol signal outputted by said shutoff control unit, turn the secondcontrol signal into a high level in order to indicate that the shutoffat said second signal shutoff circuit is to be disabled and hold thesignal.
 10. A television apparatus comprising the semiconductorintegrated circuit according to claim 1.